Collapsible stand for rollable solar panel

Abstract

The invention provides a collapsible stand assembly for an accessory, the stand assembly including a base, a mounting head, and at least one support member, the at least one support member being adapted in a collapsed configuration to be stored with the base and the mounting head, the stand being adapted for assembly in an operative configuration wherein the at least one support member releasably connects the accessory to the mounting head and wherein the mounting head is connected to the base.In one preferred embodiment, the accessory is a rollable solar panel and the at least one support member preferably comprises a plurality of support rods. Preferably also, the solar panel is generally rectangular in shape and is adapted to be rolled, when not in use, into a hollow cylinder defining an internal generally cylindrical void region.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of Australian Patent Application Serial No. 2008906200 filed Dec. 1, 2008, for Collapsible Stand for Rollable Solar Panel.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to a portable accessory stand assembly. The invention has been developed specifically for use in connection with solar panels, and more particularly with rollable solar panels and will be described primarily with reference to this technical application. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The following discussion of the prior art is intended to present the invention in an appropriate technical context and allow its advantages to be properly appreciated. Unless clearly indicated to the contrary, however, reference to any prior art in this specification should not be construed as an express or implied admission that such art is widely known or forms part of com...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]The remote end of each support rod preferably terminates in a respective hook formation. The hook formations are preferably adapted for engagement with complementary eyelets disposed at or adjacent respective corners of the solar panel. The rods are preferably sized and oriented such that in the operative configuration, engagement of the hooks with the corresponding eyelets requires a predetermined degree of resilient bending of the support rods, which in turn induces a corresponding degree of biaxial tension in the solar panel, thereby positively retaining the panel in a substantially flat orientation for optimal operational efficiency.

[0022]In one embodiment, the mounting head incorporates an end cap including a top housing, the top housing preferably containing a plurality of tension reels, each independently supporting a corresponding retractable tether cord. In one preferred embodiment, there are four such tether cords, each tether cord extending through the internal bore a corresponding support rod, and each preferably terminating in a loop formation adapted to be secured to the ground with a tent peg or similar fastener. In this way, when required, one or more of the tether cords can be selectively deployed to provide additional stability to the panel, but when not required, the tether cords are automatically retracted into the mounting head by their respective tension reels. Advantageously, the tether loops are oversized with respect to the rod bores, which prevents the tether loops from being fully retracted through the bores. This makes the tethers readily accessible when required for use, and also prevents the rods from becoming inadvertently separated from the mounting head.

[0025]Preferably, the mounting head is adapted for connection to the base in the operative configuration by a base connection mechanism, which permits selective adjustment of the orientation of the mounting head, and hence the solar panel or other accessory, with respect to the base. This advantageously allows an operator to optimise the alignment of the solar panel, within a predetermined range of adjustability, with respect to the prevailing position of the sun.

[0027]Preferably, the base includes one or more fittings to improve stability. Optional stability fittings include a plurality of spaced-apart holes by which the base can be anchored to the ground by tent pegs, a threaded socket or other standardised fitting by which the base can be mounted to a tripod, and / or a channel formation by which the base can be releasably mounted to an external support strut of a tent or similar structure.

Problems solved by technology

Access to such power remains a significant challenge in remote locations.

However, the cumulative weight of batteries in multiple devices can be significant and limitations in battery life is a perennial issue.

In some circumstances, this factor can be life-threatening, for example if emergency assistance is required in remote locations and radio, mobile phone or GPS navigation batteries run flat, with no means of recharging.

However, given the surface area typically required, rigid solar panels of known design are impractical in the present context, due to their relative size, weight, shape and fragility.

While relatively more portable, however, such panels inherently present new challenges and problems, including particularly the difficulty of adequately supporting and orienting the panels when unrolled, for efficient and effective operation.

In this regard, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that unless these panels can be maintained in a substantially flat orientation, and aligned as directly as possible toward the sun, their operational efficiency will be significantly compromised.

Moreover, although rollable solar panels are substantially more robust than conventional rigid panels of comparable size, they are nevertheless susceptible to cell damage if mis-handled or deformed beyond their intended design limits, for example by being rolled too tightly or inadvertent folded or creased.

These issues, which relate to the storage and transportation as well as the use of rollable solar panels, have hitherto prevented the widespread adoption of such panels in the context of camping, hiking, mountaineering and outdoor adventuring, as well as in other potential applications.

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